For the first time, a Bangladeshi theatre production has been selected to be performed at the prestigious Commonwealth Games. On 24 July 2014 ‘Dokkhina Sundari’ – a play produced by theatrEX Bangladesh in association with the British Council – will be staged at The Tin Forest International Theatre Festival in Glasgow to mark the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Playwright Shahman Moishan and Director Sudip Chakroborthy, ‘Dokkhina Sundari’ stages the epic canvas of primordial living and eternal aspirations in the southern part of Bangladesh, which is famous for Sundarbans – the world’s largest mangrove forest – and for its unique bio-geo-cultural diversity. This unique play portrays the rich culture, heritage and beliefs of Bengal.
The performance interiorises the epic narrations, conversations, location-specific choreographic bio-mechanics, prose, poetry, lyrics and musical dynamics in a unique form of expression. It explores the theatrical fusion of local myths, legends, fairy tales and parables. It explores the many crises caused by living in the current context of corporatised globalisation.
The cast of the play includes Nusrat Sarmin, Syeda Ifat Ara, Mst Mahjabin Islam and Jumman Sadiq.
‘Dokkhina Sundari’ was first staged June 13–15 in Dhaka, then in Manchester, UK, where it was part of the 'Contacting The World Theatre Festival' on July 9. It also featured at the 'Shedlink Celebration at London's Chickenshed Theatre' July 13–14.
The play was co-created with the National Theatre of Scotland, and is supported by the British Council.